Surgical appliance.



SURGICAL APPLIANGE.

APPLIOATION FILED mm: 1a, 190s.

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@mi h1 una 110.798,511. PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905. W. P. MAIN.

SURGICAL APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1903.

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IVILLARD F. MAIN, ()F IOWA CITY, IU'WA.

SURGICAL APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application tiled June 16, 1903. Serial No. 161,724.

1, o r/// /rllnm if muy concer/1,:

Be it known that l, IVILLARD F. MAIN,y a citizen ot' the United States, residing at VIowa City, in the county ot' Johnson and State ot lowa,have invented certain new and uselul lmprovemcnts in Surgical Appliances, ot which the Yfollowing is a specilication.

My invention relates to that class ot' surgi- '1 cal appliances intended to prevent bed-wet ting; and it consists ot' a receptacle having spring-terminals in circuit with a battery and alarm and separated in use by a soluble wafer which on being dissolved allows the terminals to come together, complete a circuit, and souml an alarm, as fully set t'orth hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-UA Figure l is a perspective View otl my improved appliance; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section ot the same detached t'rom tht` supporting-apron; Fig. 3, an outside view ot the receptacle detached trom the other parts.

'l`he receptacle A is ot' rubber or other material which will not conduct an electric eurrent and contains two spring-terminals l l, which normally are in contact and are then in circuit with a battery B through suitable I llexible conductors 2, including a switch 3 aml an electric bell or other alarm l, the battery-switch and alarm preferably in or supported by a casing 5. The terminals l l are coated except at the ends, so that the presence ot' a tluid will not complete a circuit between them when separated, and such separation is secured by a soluble water f5. It will be seen that so longl as the receptacle is empty and the water in place the circuitwill i be broken, but the presence ot' a liquid inthe receptacle will quickly dissolve the wafer, when the terminals will come into contact, complete the circuit, and sound an alarm until the switch is shifted to break the circuit. l

The appliance thus described may be sel cured to the body of the user in any suitable manner. For instance, the mout-h ot' the rej ceptacle may be provided with a flaring tlange l T, ot' rubber or other soft elastic material which will avoid abrading or wounding the skin and secure a close joint, and the receptacle may be held in place by connecting there` to clamps o, which may engage the underclothing. Preferably, however, a small apron C is secured to the person bystraps or bands 9 ll), and through an opening .r the casing A is passed, leaving the flange T inside theapron, and the clamps are clamped to this apron. j As thus applied the receptacle will be held l lirmly in place, but without discomfort to the wearer and without danger ot' the liquid escaping' `from the receptacle, the flexible conductors 2 extending to the casing, which may be arranged in any position accessible trom the bed. On the sounding ol' the alarm the wearer is at once awakened, and in course otl time the habit ot' awakening as soon as any desire ot' emission t'elt will be established.

To adjust the clamps o, each is connected to a band LL, preferably elastic, which passes lirst beneath and then over the bars ot' a slotted plate l2 and then beneath the plate. The plate l2 is secured in position on the receptacle by screws 13, which may be loosened to permit the adjustment ot' the`band to increase or decrease the tension. lt will be seen that thc elastic bands will draw the receptacle back and press the Harige T tightly against the person ot' the wearer.

lt will be evident that the forms and proportions ol the parts and means otl connection may be varied without departing Afrom the main `features otl my invention.

Wit-hout limitingl myselt' to the construction and arrangement shown, l claimv l. In a device ot' the character described, the combination ot' a receptacle, spring-terminals therein, an alarm, an electric circuit includingsaid terminals and alarm, and means for normally holding said terminals separated, said means being soluble in the presence otI a liquid, substantially as and tor the purpose described.

2. The combination of the receptacle A, its spring-terminals adapted to clamp a soluble wafer, a battery and alarm, and l'lexible conductors including' the terminals, battery and alarm, substantially as set t'orth.

3. VIn a device otl the character described, the combination with a receptacle closed at one end and open at the other, spring-terminals in said receptacle at its closed end, an

alarm, an electric circuit including said terminals and alarm, means t'or normally holding said ternnnals separated, said means being soluble in the presence oi1 a liquid, and

means lor securing the receptacle tothe person ot the wearer, substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof' l have signed my name to tlus specllication in the presence ol two subscribing witnesses.

WILLARI) F. MAIN.

lVitnesses:

'M. IC. Barns, F. A. Jaeous.

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